Jagermeister Is All Ears On Korn

The Jagermeister Tour 2010 stage shroud dropped to the floor, the bold letters K.O.R.N penetrated the darkness and the music played above the hysteria of Korn Kampers lining up to mosh while the seconds ticked until Korn appeared on stage after a long hiatus off the road.  The anticipation built up as wave after wave of roars and metal hand signs pierced the stale Roseland air over a background introduction of "4 U."  Out from the shadows came Ray Luzier, Korn's latest member, who took seat behind a barricade of drum heads and cymbals.  He greeted the fanatical crowd with a baneful snarl behind his twirling drum stick.  Fieldy (Reginald Arvizu) lurked out from behind the amp stacks, and Munky (James Shaffer) materialized from the dusky nebulous off stage.  The sullen blue lights dimly highlighted the band as a despondent macabre message to hold on tight because we are in for one very bumpy ride.

The thunder off the kicker drums hammered the floor and the rampant guitar riffs pulverized the unbridling Korn Kampers.  I was caught between the on-stage canons driving deep base rhythms and hallow drums hits on one side, and the action ready tanks behind the metal bars on the other.  What came next was the break in the Roseland Levee.  The apocalyptic revelation surrounding Jonathan Davis sent chills down my spine.  Lit up in navy blue undertones, with a minor red glimmer from his famous biomechanical mic-stand, a necromantic beauty from the brain of H.R. Gieger.  The Kampers, ready to unleash pure hell bent fury, raised the level of distortion I can't recall experiencing.  My heart was racing as I stared up at Jonathan, just inches from my camera lens, all the while knowing that here was a lead singer who has achieved more greatness then any other band currently on tour in this music genre and that he was about to set off an eruption with one question.   Are YOU READY?

The restless bodies convulsed to the delirium of the all-embrassing acceptance by the audience.  The light show was minor, but the wall of sound was anything but mundane.  Korn brought fourth an wall of sound that blasted holes in my ear drums.  The play list was hit song after hit song including "Freak On A Leash." "Ya'll Wanna Single," "Here To Stay," "Dead Bodies Everywhere," "Blind," and even the more recent bonus track cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall."  The air of excitement on Korn's verbal assault permeated the night stirred by the madness and lunacy of Davis vivid thoughts, whose lyrical expressions inhibits and feeds off his soul's dynamic obstructions eclipsed by the landscape that he subsumes in his being.  His on-stage exhibition is nothing less then remarkable.  It's not so much the rawness of his voice or the massive thrash of his kinetic head bangs as it is his delivery.  Korn is still the cathartic metal band whose birth in 1992 still continues to grow and continues to evolve to into an even deeper provocative band that emerged post-grunge era.  

Jagermeister has successfully created another tour that has surpassed it's pervious shows.  The marketing and connection through music continues to impress me with each line up they compile annually.  This year's high energy was no different for me and even though the number of bands signed to the tour may have been scaled down slightly the choice picks of this year's band selection was not sacrificed.  Korn was the cherry pit on top of this congealing sundae of lost misfits.  It's a show that will surpass current music tours this past year to true music fans.  With eight shows left you have little time to experience this tidal wave of sound, and what will 2011 bring to the Jagermeister line up?  The answer is beyond, but I doubt the line-up will disappoint any concert goer.  It's inconceivable but it is possible that next year's tour will over shadow the current line-up.  How about making the 2011 tour like a lethal cocktail.  One part Rammstein, one part Marilyn Manson, and one part Rob Zombie, all shaken and poured together into an ageless shot glass for the Jagermeister fans to drink up?   I think that would be one shot easy to swallow and impossible to digest.  Just keep an Advil near by because you are going to need it in a good way.

All Good At the Bowery Ballroom

What Juliet Simms (Lead singer/guitarist Automatic Love Letters) doesn't cut with a knife and eat for dinner, she will slash with the razor sharp words that exude from her witty tongue.  From the insecure couple, lame enough to wear matching T-Shirts, to any unfortunate and unfunny single men who brave the frigid elements of her cunning observations as she spotlights their "larger than life" chauvinistic egocentric means of expression.  No man, or woman in this case, was safe from exclusion and ridicule.  Not even her band mate & big brother, Tommy Simms, whose nickname of "Mumbles," could escape a spotlit tirade of how the band's van broke down on the way to the Bowery Ballroom.

It isn't so much Simms' sex appeal that fertilized my one track mind, and it wasn't the way she can arouse an already stiff audience out of their cultural comas.  Simms' stands out from the many singer/songwriters I have reviewed live with her Mazzy Star like voice blending with her intimate Chris Cornell-esque music interlude that was equally matched by her Creed driven energy combining in one big pot luck flavor to give this Floridian the upper hand in a shouting match from center stage, all the while musically captivating and connecting to the audience beyond my expectations.

Automatic Love Letter's set included songs from their latest album self titled "Automatic Love Letters" and included very melodic songs such as "Let it Ride," "Unhearted," and "Parker," which were rich in lyrics and colorfully beautiful in music.  Simms' long legs, liquid hand motions, and facial bling worked on me like a deer caught in headlights.  The songs are well rounded, fluid, and very unpredictable with cord changes in every opportune area equally matched by the backing vocals of Simm's big brother, Tommy.  The band is currently supporting Matthew Good who is now on tour in support of his recent album release .

Oh Canada.  You have made the world swallow horse sized pills by introducing Celine Dion, Brian Adams, and the Bare Naked Ladies to the music fans.  Much like the sport of Curling your music has taught us the meaning of unconditional love and support of our special needs cousin from the North.  We have enjoyed your television-turned-music stars (Alanis Morissette), your Hollywood-esque blockbusters (Strange Brew & John Candy), your maple syrup, but not so much your beer (Molsen).  Then when all was given up you brought new light to the world and unleashed the "Good."  Matthew Good, Canada's answer to Bono, Glenn Beck, and Bob Dylan rolled into one tight political, blogging, musical package of serenity and "Good"ness.  Good is the "Ace in the Hole" of Canada and is quite possibly the most underrated songwriter at the young age of thirty-eight who the world has yet to tap into.

Since the birth of the Matthew Good Band in 1993 Good has performed with his band throughout the Canadian provinces making his mark in music as Canada's most successful Alternative Rock band.  The band would see enormous success with high Canadian music charting albums like "Underdogs" and "The Audio of Being," led to Good's equally successful solo albums such as "Avalanche", "In A Coma" and most recently "Vancouver."  As the lead singer he has stood the test of time and it really wasn't until the band faced its first real break up in 2002 followed by the loss of bassist Geoff Lloyd who was replaced later by Rich Priske.  Good would continue forward making more noise both musically and politically as a singer songwriting activist, blogger, and performer during this solo career stage he now is climbing on.

Good's writings extend outside of music and his blogs are evidently popular as they have been since 1997, so much that in 2000 his blogs were compiled and released in a book titled "At Least There Is Nothing Left To Say."  Good has discovered a passion politics throughout most of his life and had welcomed Amnesty International to join him in spreading his messages while on 2004 tour.  His website has been a truly resourceful means in spreading his political messages be it about American Foreign Policy or issues that stem closer to his home in Canada.  His views aren't radical or extreme, but they are direct and very valid.  Good launched "Dear San Diego" to web surfers where he writes fictional blogs to poke needed comedy relief about our human race including himself.  It's Good's way of having "Good" fun in a "Good" way for the better.  For someone who doesn't like being in the spotlight he has certainly made his view points crystal clear in song and written word.  Good continues to tour and to write and it was at the Bowery Ballroom that I first got my "Good" taste of Matthew Good.  

There was no mayhem.  There was no fireworks.  The entrance, you can say, was much like your buddy walking into a packed bar with a gentle smile and a minor hand gesture.  Good went directly to his instrument, strapped on, and went right into his set.  No "HELLO NEW YORK!" just a simple stroll onto stage and off we went into the "Good" mind of Good.  His set included songs "Last Parade,"  "A Silent Army in the Trees," "Born Losers," "Giant," and "Everything Aquatic." were just a few of Good's sixteen song playlist.  Equally impressive was the universal gesture to Wall Street.  At one point, Good joked about himself and being a father which transitioned to the question of, "Hey what direction is Wall Street?"  to which the audience (mostly New Yorkers) pointed is various directions as they are renown to do under directional pressure.  Once the answer was gathered all eyes and hands faced South with a mighty roar and hundreds of birds flocking a big thank you to Wall Street.

The concert was such an experience for the music fan who may still be convinced that music is dead along with the poetic songwriters of yesterday.  Let me be the first to say there is a diamond in the rough and even though this mighty maple tree may have fallen deep in the woods where no one has really discovered him.  He made some sound.  Good takes his passion for politics and raises it to an unfiltered and poignant level I haven't heard of since the last music movement of grunge and even more so since the revolution music of the 1960's.  There is no fancy lighting, no stage antics, there is no flashy dancers, or mascots energizing the crowd.  There wasn't even a scent of home grown hydroponic herbal intake anywhere.  This was a pure show based on the insight and words of one man courageous enough to take a soap box stand to express his views to the world who has been listening.  Well world, if you are listening, there is something "Good" in the air and it is coming your way.  Don't miss your chance to hear the words, you've been reading, live right from the Mounty's mouth. 

Backstage Blogging with: Graham Colton

Combine the strength of an Oklahoman football champion with the poetic lucidity of a lyricist and you are starting to get a taste of the genetic composition that is Graham Colton.  Colton is still searching for a better means to connect with his fans online however his popularity has risen above his expectations across the US.  He is among the rare educated sort keeping a nice balance of fan/artist relationship.  Colton's ability to create excitement and interest without all the the personal hoopla is built upon his artistic control as a fresh independent artist on the scene spotlighting his music at the forefront of interactivity.  Colton takes each and every show as important as his debut.  "I have never played a concert where I haven't shaken everybody's hand at the end of a show.  It's really important for me to remain in a close direction with people that are into my music because I'm not at a level where my people find out my music is this big massive thing.  Even with all the TV placement I've had there still an element that people are finding to get my music before it is shoved down their throats."

Colton describes keeping his music as "organic" attaching his songs to the strongest emotional level for his fans.  The core fan group are the people who have become more transit lined. Colton recently played Boston and DC and is always amazed when he is able to recognize his fans on a first name basis.  Many of the regular people who do attend his show seem truly devoted, but he remains focused on the devoted group who deeply connect to Colton's music rather then his status.  "I think that's critically important with my band mates, my touring partners, my producers, and now with my fans.  I feel there is a deeper connection with my core group and I want to really get to know them on the deepest level possible."

Colton is slightly quiet when speaking about his athletic past.  Let's face it.  Jocks who rock don't do it on stage.  Colton, as a talented football player, faced his own personal stigmas that were placed upon him, and yet he found life and motivation not by winning on the field, but by sharing himself off the field, and this idea has certainly come full circle with his past of having that ultimate "Friday Night Light" experience.  "My best friend is now a superstar forward for the New England Patriots (Wes Welker).  Wes is definitely the home town hero and if I was to write a song about it I think I would title it "In Your Shadow." When he comes back from Boston we get together and do a lot of community service work with the inner city schools and other non-profits and even though we are coming from two different careers we are very deep rooted into our community."  We laughed about the comparison of long time friends Tim McGraw and Brett Farve who both have been seen tossing a football around backstage during McGraw's concerts, and how each other were a fan of the other's talent much like Colton and Welker.

Colton's music success stems from the deep roots of being a small town American boy raised in a Rockwell-esque family lifestyle.  Songs written to date could have been very cookie cutter, but his balanced exposure to the arts and sports allowed him to play his music outside the line of scrimmage.  His memories of his home, his childhood, and his experience cemented firmly to form the foundation that is apparent in his songs.  From high school to break ups, these sometimes seemingly difficult moments are the life challenges that inspire Colton to write hit songs.  Not every writer comes from hard times and escalated situations of indulgence or dark places.  Some writers do have a well balanced background of living in the light and tap into their creative side to express their thoughts through song and Colton is that "boy next door."  His music is a throw back to simpler days gone by, and without the seemingly meaningless "emo" clutter that has erased our once free formated airwaves.  

"My music has evolved over the 20 EPs I have created and the subject matter has certainly changed, but I am still drawing inspiration from childhood to high school to college, and now from touring to turning twenty-eight.  My last album for Universal was spent over eighteen months while living in Los Angeles.  I had just come off the road after my first official album release and I was handed over to a new group of people that didn't really know me, my history, or what I was truly about.  It was up to me to steer the ship and fortunately I wanted to try some new things as a soloist and to write everything and anything I could think of."  Colton would end up writing over one hundred and fifty fully recorded songs.  According to Colton, the time consuming process was where his best work surfaced.  Colton would gain great insight of himself as a song writer and performer.  It was in the comfort of this music induced cocoon where Colton naturally fell into and where he decided to focus all of his attention towards.  "A few of those songs have appeared on other music artists' albums.  It was very easy to see which songs were not honest to me.  On the other hand, It was very easy to see which ones clicked with me in a way they should and "Best Days" was the last commercial song I wrote which I wrote with a friend of mine."  As soon as the song was demoed Colton called his manager up and told him he was tapped out from writing anymore music,  he was on empty with anymore ideas, and he felt his pen was dry he had scratched all tracks he was challenged to make. 

"I am an independent artist again and in becoming one I have been able to revisit many of my songs that were not so honest and didn't make it to the albums.  The album I'm working on now was mainly recorded from my bedroom and I'm getting feedback from my family, my friends and my fans about what they like and don't like.  These digital EP's have become another way for me to connect to the outside world and to really make my fans a vital living part of my success.  It's really helping me to make the new album.  It's really exciting and scary to be independent again.  Certainly more exciting.  I am happiest when I have a nice balance of writing, recording, touring and just living.  It's where I am most productive."

Coming from Oklahoma Colton was exposed to more of the Americana lifestyle.  Dad (Randy Colton) has been playing in a local cover band called "The Wise Guys" with his fraternity brothers from college since the late 1970's.  Graham was never schooled in music theory but he always understood music because his father was always practicing around the house.  His earliest memories as a little kid on the living room floor watching his father's band jam for upcoming gigs ignited Colton's interest to perform.  "It became my inspiration to play a song with my dad's band and all the band was were a few friends from various walks of life playing music.  Even though they were stock brokers and attorneys I viewed them as rock stars."  Colton was only in fifth grade when his dad, his dad's friends and Colton drove to Kansas City to see Paul McCartney on tour.  "It was pretty awesome to be that young and to have a dad that was cool enough to say that this is the music you should be listening to."

Colton shared with me his view on the excitement of making his new album.  It's a process that brings him back to the time when he first came onto the scene and just before he was signed.  Zero pressure, working with friends, tour mates, and people who he has known for years.  His producer, Tommy Walter (Guitarist - Eels/Abandoned Pool & Producer), and Colton got connected through a few friends and they just started writing songs for the new album.  Walter is a diamond in the rough that was born to produce and has once again pulled out the best in another music artist with Colton's latest album.  "We share the same vision and I really feel he is one project away from being a huge name producer.  He's just one of those people who I can explain an idea of my goal for a song and he flies with it with ease.  He is able to draw my talent out in a direction that is really important."  Colton and Walter chiseled away day and night from Walter's little back room studio in LA. proving this recording the perfect example of there being no huge studio, no major budget, and no high profile music artists showing up and still producing one top notch album.  In Colton's words, "It was "just" Colton and Walter flushing out the songs which has been a great organic process for the two.  It's rare these days that an artist doesn't feel the crunch from the labels.  There is no ticking clock now and it's that free feeling in which many artists will never experience.  Colton has that choice and it is that choice that now leads him to new success and demand for his talents.

"I don't want to make the same record twice.  My first record was produced by Brendan O'Brien (Stone Temple Pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Killswitch, etc) which was an amazing experience.  I had twelve songs and Brendan was so perfect to work with.  I wanted to make a big pop rock album and when I started the frame work with this upcoming album I created much more open space with out the ritziness of the first album or the glossiness of the last album.  The songs on this album and thanks to the honesty and guidance from my everyone who helped to create it I know it will be the best yet from my recordings.  I'm releasing the digital acoustic EP's in the process of making this new album as a way to let the fans in on the end result.  It's my way of asking them to review the premature recordings and asking them for their feedback.  It's my way of solidifying my bond with my fans."  With those last words from Colton's interview wound down and I was left thinking to myself that he has achieved a level of success built upon his own terms all the while maintaining a strong and everlasting connection to his fans.  Colton's career in music isn't short lived by any means or reason.  Be on the look out this year because the best is yet to come.